Infections: TB regimen: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Infections: TB regimen

Sample item

What is the standard regimen for drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis in a child under current Indian guidelines?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. 2 months of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol, then 4 months of isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol

The daily fixed-dose regimen has an intensive phase of 2HRZE and a continuation phase of 4HRE, a total of 6 months. Pyridoxine is added with isoniazid. Extended therapy to 9 to 12 months is used for TB meningitis and bone TB.

Option by option

  • A. 2 months of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol, then 4 months of isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol (correct)

    Correct. 2HRZE and 4HRE.

  • B. Streptomycin for 6 months

    Streptomycin monotherapy is not used.

  • C. 9 months of isoniazid alone

    Isoniazid alone is for prophylaxis.

  • D. Rifampicin alone for 2 months

    Single-drug therapy leads to resistance.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, 2 months of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol, then 4 months of isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol. The daily fixed-dose regimen has an intensive phase of 2HRZE and a continuation phase of 4HRE, a total of 6 months.

Why is "Streptomycin for 6 months" not the answer?

Streptomycin monotherapy is not used.

Why is "9 months of isoniazid alone" not the answer?

Isoniazid alone is for prophylaxis.

Why is "Rifampicin alone for 2 months" not the answer?

Single-drug therapy leads to resistance.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: TB regimen in Pediatrics. Pyridoxine is added with isoniazid. Extended therapy to 9 to 12 months is used for TB meningitis and bone TB.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Infections: TB regimen?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.